by Coulter Street, Salutatorian of the Class of 2025 ~ Electrical Occupations

Good evening everyone!

Before I begin, I want to take a moment and thank everyone who could make it here today to celebrate the Class of 2025.

I came to the LCCTC in 10th grade. I knew I wanted to learn a trade. I applied myself and tried to learn as much as I could. With the help of a great teacher, Mr. Montini, I now have a skill that can take me anywhere. Many who are graduating from this school today can say the same thing. You cannot get this kind of education at our home schools. Heck – you can’t get this type of education in many of the other CTCs across the state and nation.

Lawrence County CTC treats you like an adult; it teaches you about integrity and hard work. You work with people from different backgrounds, different schools, and different shops to accomplish common goals. This school helped us all prepare for the future, and even though we are uncertain what might change and how everything will turn out, we were given the tools for success. All we have to do is use those tools. Without this school, I would not be able to go right to the workforce with a good job and a great skill.

The skilled trades are a powerful and inspiring force in our world, often overlooked yet essential to everything we rely on. From building homes and schools to maintaining vital infrastructure and keeping our cities running, tradespeople are the hands that shape our daily lives. Their work is not only practical but deeply impactful, creating tangible results that serves communities and improves quality of life. Our choice in selecting a path in the trades means stepping into a career filled with purpose, problem-solving, and pride. It’s about mastering a craft, making a difference, and leaving a lasting legacy through skill, dedication, and hard work.

In the end, the trades don’t just build structures—they build lives, communities, and futures. They’ve transformed the way we live, bringing comfort, safety, and innovation to every corner of society. Skilled tradespeople make a difference every day, turning ideas into reality and solving real-world problems with their hands and minds.

Life will be changed because of OUR work—more efficient, more connected, and more sustainable. As we look toward the future, it’s clear that the trades will continue to be a driving force of progress, shaping the world in powerful and meaningful ways. That we chose to become a part of the trades should make us all proud.

Congratulations to the Class of ‘25 and good luck!

Coulter made the most of his time with us at Lawrence County CTC. He was an active member of Peer Leadership and SkillsUSA. He was also selected by his peers to represent his class in the prom court. Most notably, he achieved his Advanced Manufacturing Certification (CMfgA) through Pennsylvania College of Technology’s AMP program. He currently works for Central Heating and Plumbing.